GRANTS PASS SCHOOL DISTRICT #7 FAQ regarding “Emergency Closing Information”
It is snowing: Do we have school today?
How are inclement weather conditions determined?
Where to find school closing announcements
Driving in Inclement Weather: Is your student ready?
School Closure: Who is expected to report to work?
Delayed Start: When will the buses arrive at the bus stops or what time do I report to work?
Early Release: What happens when schools are released early?
Modified Bus Routes: What streets and bus stops are affected on a modified bus route during inclement weather?
How is the school calendar adjusted for days missed due to inclement weather?
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES
It's Snowing! Do We Have School Today?
On snowy winter mornings students of all ages across Josephine County may ask this question. How will Grants Pass School District 7 determine whether schools will be closed or delayed? The answer results from many hours of assessment by Grants Pass School District 7 staff.
Grants Pass School District 7 Policy EBCD states “In case of fog, snow, ice or other hazardous or emergency conditions, the transportation supervisor will consult with the director of business services and the superintendent to determine if it is necessary to alter school and bus schedules as appropriate to the particular emergency. Such alterations include closure of all schools, closure of selected schools or grade levels, delayed openings of schools and early dismissal of students.”
Often we are asked, “How did you make the decision to close or not to close schools today?” The process involves many staff members and community organizations. On mornings when inclement weather (snow, ice, etc) is expected or is a possibility, the Grants Pass School District 7 transportation supervisor will monitor weather conditions and check the roads when necessary. The Transportation Supervisor calls the Director of Business Services to discuss road conditions. If road conditions warrant, the Business Director will contact the Superintendent who will make the determination if schools should be closed or routes altered. If the Superintendent is unavailable the Director of Business Services will make the determination. In all cases, it will be announced on the radio and will be posted on the District’s website: www.grantspass.k12.or.us.
At 4:00 a.m. the inclement weather determination process starts.
• The Oregon State Police and Grants Pass Public Safety are contacted for updates on current road conditions and any particular areas of concern. • The transportation supervisor monitors weather forecasts through a variety of weather sites and contacts other school divisions to determine their opening, closing or delay status. • The transportation supervisor drives assigned routes throughout the county determining road conditions and hazards for bus drivers. The transportation supervisor is on the road between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. checking road conditions, school driveways and parking lots. The transportation supervisor communicates the road conditions to the Business Director. • By 5:15 a.m. the Business Director calls the Superintendent with a report so a determination can be made to either close school or implement the Snow Route schedule. • By 5:30 a.m. the superintendent makes the final decision regarding opening of schools.
At 5:30 a.m. the following steps are taken:
• The decision to close or delay opening of schools is relayed to a number of radio and television stations in the Josephine and Jackson County areas. • The information is posted on the School website at www.grantspass.k12.or.us and on the central office voice mail system at 541-474-5700. • The information is shared with local radio and television stations. • The information is shared with district employees via phone tree. If the decision is to delay the opening of school, the transportation supervisor continues to check the road conditions. The Business Director continues to monitor weather forecast information and to check with other county schools on their final decision for opening schools. • The transportation supervisor reports to the Business Director by 7:00 a.m. and a final recommendation is made to the Superintendent for maintaining the delayed opening or for closing for the day.
Time Line At A Glance
• 4:00 a.m.: Grants Pass School District 7 Transportation Supervisor begins evaluating weather and road conditions.
• 5:15 a.m.: The Business Director consults with the Superintendent regarding closing or delaying school.
• 5:30 a.m.: The Superintendent makes the final decision regarding the opening of schools.
• 5:30 a.m.: All television and radio stations in the Josephine and Jackson County area are notified of the decision.
• 5:45 a.m.: The decision is posted to www.grantspass.k12.or.us. • 7:00 a.m: The deadline for changing a school delay to a school closing.
On the day following an inclement weather day, parents and students have asked for information regarding whether school is operating on a regular schedule. This year Grants Pass School District 7 will post on the website a statement that schools are operating on a regular schedule.
For school closing and delay announcements, check the website at www.grantspass.k12.or.us or call 541-474- 5700.
WHERE TO FIND SCHOOL CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS
All local radio and television stations are informed of school closings and delays.
Families may wish to check with several media sources to verify closing information.
The Grants Pass School District 7 website at www.grantspass.k12.or.us posts the information as soon as the decision is made. (Remember to “Refresh” or “Reload” each time you visit the site!)
FM Stations:
KLDR – 98.3 KRWQ – 100.3 KRRM – 94.7 KCNA – 102.7 KAKT – KTMT - KBOY -
AM Stations:
KAJO – 1270
Television Stations:
KDRV – CH 12 ABC KOBI – CH 5 NBC KTVL – CH 10 CBS
Website:
www.grantspass.k12.or.us
Driving In Inclement Weather: Is Your Student Ready?
Road conditions may not be appropriate for inexperienced drivers during inclement weather. Parents should determine whether their student drivers have the experience to drive in certain road conditions. The school district’s decision to close or delay school is based on the ability of our professional school bus drivers to safely transport students to and from school.
School closure: Who is expected to report to work?
On days school is cancelled, all administrators are expected to report to work. Confidential and essential classified employees (head custodians, custodian III’s, office managers and maintenance/warehouse) will also report to work.
There may be occasions when it becomes necessary to close an individual school, i.e., pump failures, problems with heating systems, etc. When this happens, the building principal contacts the Business Director who discusses the situation with the Superintendent to determine if the school should be closed.
Delayed Start: When will the buses arrive at the bus stops or what time do I report to work?
A two-hour delayed start will be implemented if weather or road conditions make it hazardous for the buses to travel safely in the early morning hours. The closure will be announced on local radio and television stations and will be posted on the District 7 web page. Buses will pick up students two hours later than usual. School will begin two hours later than the regular schedule and dismissal times will remain the same. If the delay is on a Wednesday, the high school will run two hours later than their normal (Mon,Tues,Th,Fri) schedule instead of the usual one hour late start Wednesday schedule. Administrators and essential classified staff will report as close to their regular starting times as possible based on safety. All other staff member will report two hours late.
Early Release: What happens when schools are released early?
An early release will be implemented if weather or road conditions make it hazardous for the buses to travel safely in the afternoon hours. The closure will be announced on local radio and television stations and will be posted on District 7 web page. Every attempt will be made to contact parents or the student’s emergency contact. It is the responsibility of all staff to remain at the school until notified by an administrator they are free to leave. Administrators will remain at the school until all students have left the grounds. The emergency plan for the transportation department will be implemented.
Modified Bus (Snow) Routes: What streets and bus stops are affected on a modified bus route during inclement weather?
It may be determined that only a few streets in each area need to be closed for school bus travel due to hazardous road conditions. When roads are closed, students will need to meet the bus at the nearest intersection that the bus travels on. The morning pick-up times for each of these roads will be approximately the same as the pick-up times for the regular stops. These snow stops are indicated on the maps by red flags. Please remember that with adverse road conditions, buses generally run progressively slower as the routes continue.
In case of road closures, radio and TV stations will be notified and a notice will be posted on the district web page. See maps for possible road closures in areas North and South of the river and the closest stops available.
Bus stops affected on roads North of the river: Granite Hill Road, Scoville Road, Scenic Drive, Sunhill Drive, Cresent Drive, NW B Street (East of Grant Street).
Bus stops affected on roads South of the river: Redwood Hwy, Southgate Way, Lonnon Road, Espey Road, South Espey Road, Dawn Allen Road, Southridge Way and Independence Drive.
How is the school calendar adjusted for days missed due to inclement weather?
When school is closed due to inclement weather, the district may restore up to two (2) designated, calendared restoration days. In the event that the District still does not meet the State minimum instructional hour requirements, additional instructional days will be restored to meet such requirements.
Should the school year fall below the required instructional days or hours, the difference will be made by adding non-school days to the end of the school year.